Well tool



v2 sheets-sheet 1 Nov. 2, 1937. o. A. BROWN WELL TooL Filed June 5, 1934 Nov. 2, 1937. o. A. BROWN 2,097,547

WELL TooL l Filed June 5, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 2, 1937 UNITED. STATES 12,097,547'` Y WELL Toon.

om. alarma, smith Gate, ca1if.,. assigner. to Baash-Ross Tool Company, Los Angeles, Calif.,-

a corporation of vCalifornia Application June 5, 19th-SerinNoi-72,9,097i

16 Ciaims.

This invention relates to a well tool and it is a general' object of the invention to provide a simple, practical and effective well tool involving an improved means for gripping the interior of a pipe or casing to provide for the actuation of the other parts or mechanisms of the tool.V f

- In various well tools such asperforators, etc., the cutters are controlled or actuated by relative -movement between the parts of the tools. The tools are operated in the wells on the lower ends of strings of pipe or the like and, therefore, are rather diicult to control. It has been the gen'- eral practice to provide a tool or" the general char-v acter referred to with a tail piece having Ysprings or well casing, whereby relative movement be? tween the parts of the tool may beV effected to actuate the cutter. The springs of a tail piece are only capable of yieldingly resisting move-Y ment and do not assure the full proper operation of the tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well tool having means for firmly and securely engaging the interior of a casing or pipe in which the tool is operated, whereby the required relative movement may be effected between the parts of the tool to fully and properly actuate it.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well tool including a slip that may be easily and quickly actuated into dependable gripping engagement with the interior of a casing and that is automatically released when it has served the desired purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well tool including a gripping slip that is adapted to tightly grip the interior of a pipe or casing and that'is provided with an inclined face engaged by a cutter when the' tool is moved through the casing to actuate the cutter into engagement with the casing.

A further object of this invention is to provide a well tool of the character mentioned that involves a novel and particularly effective combination of parts and that is simple and inexpensive of manufacture. i

Other objects and features of the invention will I become apparent from the following detailed description of a typical form and application of the invention,` throughout which description reierence may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a well tool embodying theV present invention showing it passing through a casing. Fig. 2 is anV enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional view of the upper porfor frictionally engaging the interiorof the pipe Y tion, and means VI3 (Ci. 16s-0.4)4 Y tion of the` tool' showing .the slip and cutter inV4 the retracted positions. `VFig.I Skis an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional view of the lower portion ofthe. toolillustrating the tailv piece as-v sembly in position for passage downwardly through the casing. Fig. 4 is an enlargedA longitudinal detailed sectional view 'ot the central or intermediate portion' of thetool showing the cut- 4 ter in a substantially fullyactuated position and illustrating the cutter in broken lines` in the'fully actuated position. Figs.. 5, 6;, andl'? larefenlargecl'-` transverse detailed sectional views taken as indi` y' tion is not to be construed aslimited or restricted to the specific form or application about tobe described, but that vit is Yto be taken as including any features 0r modifications that may fall wi-thl in the scope of the claims. Y Y v The welltool illustrated in the drawings and embodying the invention includes, generally, a body III, a cutter II carried byv the'bod'y and operatable-V outwardly upon movement of the body with respectto i-tg'a slip I2 for'gripping the casing C and engaged by the cutterv I Ilto cause its actua-` for controlling the actuation ofthe slip I2.V Y

The body IQ is an elongate member or structure adapted to be operated on the lower'end'of an operating string S of pipe or the like. Suitable means is provided at the upper end of the body I0 for connecting with Ythe string S. In the particular structure illustrated in the drawings a tapered screwthreaded pin III is provided on the upper end ofthe body Ill` for threading into a socket inthe lower member of the string S. The body Iii is in the` nature of aframe orcarrier forY the various parts of the tool and is provided with Y a longitudinal open-sided opening or channel I5. A channel member I6 vis *arrangedv longitudinally in the channel I5. The inner side o the member I6 bears against the inner wall' of the channel I 5 while the spaced side vflanges I'l of the member bear against the Vside walls of the channel. A block I8 is arranged in the upper end of the body channel i5 and screws I9 pass through openings in the block and member I6 and thread into the body Ill to attach the member to the body. The lower portion of the body channel or opening I5 is in the nature of a slot passing through the body from one side to the other. 'Ihe chan- Vnel member I6 has a key 2Ill on its rear side fitting the slotted portion of the body and having its upper end cooperating with a downwardly facing shoulder 2| of the body.

In accordance with the invention two curved convex surfaces 22 and 23 are provided in the lower portion of the channel member I6.V The lower convex surface 22 curves upwardly and inwardly from the rear external surface of the member I6 and is exposed below the lower ends of the flanges I1. The upper convex surface 23 is disposed between the spaced flanges I1 and joins or forms a continuation of the inner wall of the channel member I6. The convex surface 22 is cylindrically curved about a point A while the convex surface 23 is curved about a point B.

The surface 23 has a radius of curvature substanv tially the same as that of the surface 22 and its point of curvature B is vspacedupwardly and inwardly from the point A relative to the central longitudinal axis of they tool. The outer surfaces or sides of the flanges I1 have portions 24 curved about the axis B and continue downwardly and rearwardly from these portions 24 to the rear external surface of the tool. Ribs or flanges 25 are provided on the opposite side walls of the body channel I5 and are spaced outwardly from the outer sides ofthe flanges I1. The opposing surfaces of the flanges I1 and 25 arespaced and parallel to provide longitudinally extending keyways 2B. The flanges 25 may be welded or otherwise attached to the body I0. The inner sides of the ilanges25 each have a concave surface 26a curved about the point B and a concave surface 21 curved about the point A.

The cutter I I is operatable outwardly to perforate the casing C through cooperation with the surfaces 22 and 23 and cooperates with the slip I2 to aid in the actuation of the slip and to bring about the initial portion of its own actuation. The cutter I I includes a shank 28 and a blade 29. The shank 28 has flat parallel sides 30 adapted to slidably engage the inner sides'of the flanges I1 and 25. Keys 3I are provided on the sides 30 of the cutter shank for operating longitudinally in the keyways 26. When theY cutter II is in its normal retracted position illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings the keys 3| are substantially horizontal and their ends 32 engage or have slight clearance with the concave surfaces 21 of the flanges 25. These ends 32 of the keys may have a radius of curvature slightly shorter than that of the surfaces 21.

Two contiguous or adjacent concave surfaces 33 and 34 are provided on the inner side of the shank 30 for cooperating with the surfaces 22 and 23, respectively. The lower concave surface 33 has substantially the same radius of curvature as the surface 22 to effectively slidably operate over the surface 22. In a like manner the upper concave surface 34 has a radius of curvature substantially equal to that of the convex surface 23 to slidably operate over that surface. It will be seenthat when the concave surface 33 slidably operates over the convex surface 22 the cutter II pivots or swings about the axis A and when the surface 34 moves over the surface 23 the cutter pivots or swings about the axis B. A; straight flat face 35 is provided on the inner side of the shank 30 at the upper end of the concave surface 34. The flat face 35 is parallel with the keys 3| and is adapted to slidably operate on the inner Wall of the channel member I6 when the cutter II has assumed its operated position in the straight upper portion of the channel member.

The blade 29 of the cutter II is of reduced thickness and projects downwardly in the body channel or slot I5 when the cutter is in its retracted or unactuated position. The blade 29 has a curved lower edge 36 and a straight outer edge ,31 adjoining the edge 35 at a point or corner 38.

The upper edge 39 of the blade joints the outer edge 31 at a corner 4|).

The slip I2 is provided to engage or grip the casing C to form a bridgeor abutment for the cutter I I whereby the cutter may be swung about the axis A upon downward movement of the body I0 through the casing. The slip I2 is arranged in the open or slot portion of the body channel I5 and is shiftable longitudinally and laterally with respect to the body. The slip- I2 has fiat parallel sides 4I for slidably engaging the side walls of the body opening I5. The outer side of the slip I2 is adapted to project from the body I0 to engage the interior cf the casing C and is provided with a series of serrations or teeth 42. The teeth 42 are designed or shaped to effectively grip the inner wall of the casing C to resistor prevent downward movement of the slip I2. The upper end 43 of the slip I2 is inclined downwardly and outwardly to the toothed outer surface of the slip. This inclined upper end 43 of the slip cooperates with the curved lower edge 33 of the cutter II so that downward force may be transmitted from the cutter to the slip when the tool is moved downwardly to bring about the actuation of the slip I2 as will be hereinafter described. Further, the engagement-of the lower edge of the cutter II with the inclined upper end 43 of the slip holds the cutter against downward movement after actuation of the slip and causes the cutter to swing or turn about the axis A with the downward movement of the body. The inner side 44 of the slip I2 is inclined in the same general direction as the surface 43. In practice the inner side 44 of the slip may be at a greater pitch or inclination than the upper end ofl the slip. The lower end of the slip I2 normally rests or seats on a shoulder 45 of the body and the lower edge of the retracted cutter II normally cooperates with the inclined upper end 43 of the slip. With the slip I2 in the position just mentioned its teeth 42 are retracted within the con.- fines of the body I0 so that they cannot engage the casing C.

The means I3 for controlling or actuating the slip- I2 causes outward projection of the slip I2 into gripping engagement with the casing C whereby the slip forms a bridge or abutment for the cutter II when the cutter is actuated. The means I3 includes a. wedge block 41 in the lower portion of the body channel or slot I5. The block 41 has its rear side flush with the external rear surface of the body I0 and has a shoulder 48 normally cooperating with a shoulder 49 of the body. A Wedge face or inclined surface 50 is provided on the block 41 for slidably cooperating with the inclined inner side 44 of the slip. The surface 50 is of the same inclination as the surface 44 and is of substantial length. In the preferred form of the invention a dove-tail sliding connection is provided between the slip I2 and the block 41. In the form of the invention illus-v trated the dove-tailed connection includes a dovetailed key 52 on the inclined inner side of the slip slidably operating in a correspondingly shaped keyway 53 in the surface 58. The block 41 is arranged or mounted for longitudinal movement with respect to the body and has a stem or shank 54 slidable in an opening 55 in the body. 'I'he wedge block 4'I is normally in a position where its shoulder 48 cooperates with thebody shoulder 49 which position is illustrated in Fig'. 2 of the drawings.

The means I3 includes a tail piece 51 for controlling the operation of the wedge block 41 and the slip I2. The tail piece 5l includes a mandrel or.stem 58 slidable in a reduced portion 59 of the opening 56 in the lower end of the body I0. The stem 58 is connected with the shank 54 of the wedge block 4l. In the particular structure disclosed in the drawings the stem 58 has a reduced portion threaded into arsocket 6I)l in the lower'end of the shank 54 and keyed against displacement by a key 6I. The stem 58 has an enlargement or collar 'I0 operating in a socket 'Il in the lower end of the opening59. The longitudinal axis of the opening 59v and the longitudinal axis of the stem 58 are offset or spaced from the longitudinal axis of the body lll. The axis of the opening 59 and the stem 58 are offset from the axis of the body in the direction of the forward side of the body I8 and slip I2 so that the tail piece assembly is substantially centered in the casing when the engagement of the slip I2 with the casing moves the tool out of its central position in the casing.

The stem 58 projects a substantial distance from the lower end of the body I and carries at its lower end a Vbull nut 52. Longitudinally spaced sleeves 63 and 54 are slidable on the stem 58 and are connected by spaced springs 65. The springs 65 are bowed outwardly to frictionally engage the interior of the casing C. 'Ihe engagement of the springs E with the innerwall of the casing C resists movement of the tail 'piece assembly with respect to the casing. Latch means is provided for releasably connecting the assembly of the sleeves and springs with the stem 58. A latch 66 has its upper end pivoted. in a longitudinal recess 61 in the lower portion of the stem 58. The latch 88 has a downwardly facing shoulder 68 adapted to cooperate with the upper end of the sleeve 64. A spring 69 yieldingly urges the latch 56 outwardly.

When `the tool is to be run or lowered into the well the tail piece assembly of the springs 85 and sleeves 63 and'84 is slid on the stem 58 to a position such as illustrated in Figs. i and 3 of the drawings, where the upper sleeve 53 is contacting the lower end of the body I@ and the lower sleeve B4 covers the upper portion of the recessv 61 to hold the latch 55 in a partially retracted position. As the tool is run into theA well on the lower end of the operating string S the springs B5 frictionally engage the inner wall of the casing C to hold the tail piece assembly in the' position just described. The weight of the stem 58, the bull nut 82, and the wedge block 4l retains the wedge block in the position where its shoulder 48 seats on the shoulder 4S. With the wedge block in this position during lowering of the tool into the well the sleeve I2 and the cutter Il are in their retracted positions illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

When the tool has reached the requiredr depth it is raised or moved upwardly through the medium of the operating string S. This upward movement of the tool causes the stem 58 to be moved upwardly with the body I0 moving the latch 68 through the sleeve 64' and bringing the. bull nut S2 to a position at or adjacent the lower end of l the sleeve 84. With the parts in the raised position just described the latch Siiis yieldingly held in 'its out position where the shoulder 58 opposes and/ or engages the upper end of the sleeve 54.l The tool' is then lowered or moved .downwardly to actuate the slip I2 and theA cutter Il. During this downward movement of the tool the springs' 85 of the tail piece resist downward move'- ment of the stem 58 and wedge block 4'?, the stem being connected with the spring assembly by the latch:66. The cooperation of the convex surface 22 with the concave surface 33 of the cutter Il causes the cutter to move downwardly with the body and the lower edge 3610i the cutter contacts the inclined surface 43 of the slip to transmit this downward movement to the slip. The slip I2 is thus-moved downwardly on the inclined surface58 of the wedge block' which is held against movement or restrained from movement by the springs 85 as described above. The' cooperation of the surfaces 44'and 50 of theslip and thewedge block cause the slip I2 to4 move Voutwardly so that its teeth 42 come into gripping engagement with the interior of the Vcasing C.

The slip I2 is thus positively Yheld against down- Y ward movement andthe rear surfaces of the body I0 and the' wedge block 4l are forced laterally against the opposite walls of thecasing l2. I The slip I2 and the wedge block 41 constitutefa iixed bridge, the slip forming a stationary' abutment against whichthe cutter l! operates. The cutter II moving downwardly togethe with the body I8 has its curved edge 35 engaging the inclined surface 43 of the slip I2 and isV made to swing or pivot about the point A.Y It is believed that it will be understood how the convex surface 22 of the downwardly moving body" I cooperates with the concave surface 33 of the cutter to cause vthe cutter to be swung outwardly from the body about the axis or point A. Inthisbody I8 contacts the .upper end of the collar I8 on the4 tail piece stem 53. the upper endv of the socket 'II with the collar 'I8 causes the stern 58 to be movedv downwardly with the body and as the block 4l is attached to the Engagement 'of stem it is' also made to move downwardly with the body. The biting engagement ofthe teeth 42 with' the casing C momentarily holds the slip I2 against downwardmovement with the wedge block. 4f? so that the cooperationV of the dove-tailed key 52A with the keyway 53 causes the slipl to move vupwardly on the inclined face 50of the wedge block. In this manner the slip I2l is retracted and fully disengaged from the casing C to move downwardly together with the wedge block and the body I8. VPrior to this releasing of the slip I2 the cutter II has obtained an jen-Y gagement with the casing C which prevents it from moving downwardly with the body Il). The

corner or point 4Ilof the cutter I Iv having entered `the wall of the casing holds the end of the cutter of the body. The convex surface 23 of the downT I wardly moving tool cooperates with the concave surface 34 to cause the cutter I-I to be swung about the point B, thus further projecting its blade 29. The cutter II moves or swings about the axis B until its surface 35 engages the inner wall of the channel member I6, whereupon the keys 3| assume a position in longitudinal alignment with the keyways 215. The body is then freed to move downwardly with little or no resistance offered to its movement by the cutter, as the cutter is freely received in the elongate channel member I6. This relieving of resistance to downward movement of the tool informs the operator that the cutter II has been fully actuated. The tool may thenbe raised'so that the convex surfaces 23 and 22 cooperate with the concave surfaces 34 and 33 of the cutter to swing the cutter inwardly to its retracted position. 'Ihe tool may then be moved to another position in the casing and again operated if desired, or the tool may be removed from the well.

The present invention'provides a well tool that embodies a slip member which firmly and dependably grips the interior of the casing to form a rigid or stationary abutment for the positive actuation of the cutter. The slip I 2 together with the wedge block 41 forms a stationary bridge in the casing as'the body I moves downwardly with the cutter, whereby the cutter cooperating with the inclined surface 43 of the slip is positively operated into engagement with the casing C. The slip I2 is automatically disengaged from the casing after the cutter II has obtained a suitable engagement with the casing. The slip I2 cannot bind or permanently lock in engagement with the casing C as the dove-tailed connection between the slip and the wedge block operates to fully free the slip from the casing. The well tool construction provided by the present invention is simple and particularly effective in opera'- tion.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific form and application herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. In a well tool, a body, two members carried by the body and having slidably cooperating inclined surfaces, one member being toothed to grip the casing, a cutter carried by the body to engage said member and to swing into engagement with the casing upon movement of the body with respect to said member, and means for resisting movement of the other member whereby movement of the body results in cooperation of said surfaces to bring the toothed member into stationary engagement with the casing.

2. In a well tool, a body, two members carried by the body and having slidably cooperating inclined surfaces, one member being toothed to grip the casing and having an inclined face, a cutter carried by the body to engage said face and be swung outwardly through cooperation therewith upon longitudinal movement of the body, and means for resisting longitudinal movement of the other member whereby longitudinal movement of the body causes actuation of the toothed member and the cutter.

3. A well tool including a body adapted to move through a casing, two members having cooperating dove-tailed surfaces, one member being toothed to grip the casing, a cutter carried by the body and cooperating with the toothed member to transmit movement thereto upon longitudinal movement of the body, 'and means for temporarily resisting movement of the othermemberwhereby longitudinal movement of the body causes actuation of the toothed member into gripping engagement' with the casing followed by actuation of the cutter and then release of the toothed member from the casing.

4. In a well tool, a body, a cutter carried by the body, parts on the body and cutter operable to cause projection of the cutter from the body when resistance is offered to vertical movement of the cutter, a gripping slip having an inclined surface engageable by the cutter, and means for actuating the slip into engagement with the casing by force transmitted to it by the cutter upon longitudinal movement-of the body whereby such movement actuates the cutter.

5. In a well tool, a body, a cutter carried by the body, parts on the body and cutter operable to cause projection of the cutter from the body when resistance is offered Vto vertical movement of the cutter, a member carried by the body for limitedk relative longitudinal movement and having an inclined surface, a slip engaging said surface and engageable by kthe cutter to be actuated into gripping engagement with the casing through cooperation with said surface by force transmitted to it from the cutter when the cutter is moved downwardly with the body, the cutter being projected by engaging the set slip, and means for releasing the slip from the casing.

6. In a well tool, a body, a cutter carried by the body, means for projecting the cutter from the body operable by relative longitudinal movement between the cutter and the body, a member carried by the body for limited Vrelative longitudinal movement and having an inclined surface, a slip engaging said surface and engageable by the cutter to be actuated into gripping engagement with the casing through cooperation with said surface by force transmitted to it from the cutter when the cutter is moved downwardly with the body, the said means being actuated when the engagement of the cutter with the set slip resists longitudinal movement of the cutter, and means for releasing the slip from the casing, the last named means including a sliding dove-tailed connection between the member and slip. Y y

7. A well tool including a body, a member for acting on the well casing and initially retracted in the body, means for projecting the member from the body upon movement of the body with respect to' it, a casing gripping slip operable to gripl the casing to form, a, stationary abutment for holding the member against movement with the body whereby movement of the body in one direction actuates the said means to project the member, means for actuating the slip into engagement with the casing upon movement of the body in said direction, and means for releasing the slip from the casing upon further movement of the body in said direction, the last mentioned means including an element connected with the slip and having limited movement with respect to the body, and movement resisting means connected with said element.

8. A well tool including a body, a cutting member carrier by the body for projection therefrom, and means for projecting the member upon 1ongitudinal movement of the body with respect to it, including twol cooperating wedge members operable through their cooperation to have stationary engagement with the interior of acasing at circumferentially spaced points to form an abutment to be engaged by the cutting member to hold thecutting member against longitudinal movement with the body, one of the wedge members being bodily movable laterally against the well casing whereby longitudinal movement of the body causes projection of the cutting member.

9. A well tool including a body, a member carried by the body and projectable therefrom to act on the casing, means for projecting the member from the body upon movement of the body with respect to it, a casing gripping slip for holding the member against movement with the body whereby movement of the body in one direction actuates the member, means for actuating the slip into stationary engagement with the casing upon movement of the body in said direction to form a stationary abutment against which the member is moved to be'actuated, and means for releasing the slip from the casing upon further movement of the body in said direction.

10. In a well tool, a body adapted to be moved through a casing, a member for acting on the casing and related to the body for projection therefrom, means for projecting the member from the body upon movement of the body relative to the member, a casing gripping slip carred by the body for'lateral movement therefrom into grip-ping engagement with the casing and having an inclined surface adapted to form an abutment to hold the member against movement with the body and to assist in projection of the member, and an inclined abutment on the body cooperating Vwith the slip to actuate the same laterally against the casing.

l1. In a well tool, a body adapted tobe moved through a casing and having an opening' open at its opposite sides, an assembly of two translatable members carried by the body and movable through said opening to have gripping engagement with the interior of the casing, cooperating inclined surfaces on the members operable to bodily shift the members against the casing upon relative vertical movement between the members, and means for shifting one member relative to the other to effect cooperation of said surfaces.

12. In a well tool, a body adapted to be moved through a casing and having a lateral opening open at its opposite sides, an assembly of two members carried by the body and movable outwardly through said opening to have gripping engagement with the interior of the casing, cooperating inclined surfaces on the members operable to actuate the members against the casing upon relative vertical movement between the members, a second inclined surface on one member, and an element adapted to cooperate with said second inclined surface to move one member relative to the other and to be actuated against the casing by such cooperation.

13. In a well tool, a body adapted to be moved through a casing and having an opening open at its opposite sides, an assembly of two members carried by the body and movable through the ends of said opening to have gripping engagement with i n the interior of' the casing, cooperating inclined surfaces on the members operable to actuate the members against the casing upon relative vertical Vmovement between the members in one direction, means for effecting relative movement between the members in said direction, a dovetail connection between the members, and a shoulder on the body adapted to cooperatefwitli one member to eiect relative movement between Y the members in the other direction to release them from the casing when the body is movedin the said other direction. l

14. In a well tool, a body adapted to be moved through a casing and having an. opening open at its opposite sides, an assembly of two members lease them from the casing when the body is moved in the said other direction, and meansV connected with the other member-to resist movement of the same. 1 H

15. In, a well tool including a body, a member for acting on the casing and initially carried by the body in a retracted position, means for projecting the member from. the body upon lo-ngitudinal movement of the body with respect to it a slip for gripping the casing and adapted to form an abutment engageable by the member to hold the member against longitudinal movement with thebody, and a control for the slip, the control including an element connected with the slip and having limited movement with'respect to the body, and movement resisting means connected with the element. Y

16. A well tool including a body adapted to be moved through a casing, a member for acting on the casing and no-rmally movable with the body in a retracted position, means for projecting the member upon longitudinal movement of the body with respect to the member, and an assembly of two cooperating casing gripping elements shiftably carried by the body adjacent said member so that one element may be engaged yby the member, said elements beingl operatable into gripping engagement'with the casing through their cooperation to form an abutment which holds the member against longitudinal movement uwith the body. Y

' ORA A. BROWN.' 

